Should I add a "Micro" PDP11/73 to the Herd?

From: Jerome Fine <jhfine_at_idirect.com>
Date: Thu Jun 22 18:19:06 2000

>Douglas Quebbeman wrote:

> A MicroPDP 11/73 (that's how it's listed) is available on
> E-Bay, it's not selling, so I can probably get it for the
> starting bid of five bucks, and it's local. I have no
> backround with the PDP-11 (and thus my recent query
> regarding those cards I have).

Jerome Fine replies:

Since you are local and will not have to pay shipping, you
have a huge advantage when it comes to anyone else.
BUT, you will need to have a van or a small truck. And
bring some tools so that you can separate the components.
You will find it much easier if you only need to lift one item
at a time rather than the whole cabinet. Note that the tape
drive alone can be about 100 lb. Two people can usually
handle that easily.

> It comes with a TS05 tape drive, which from the photo
> appears to be a Cipher F880 Microstreamer. I'm thinking
> of getting it just to have a spare for the Prime's tape
> drive.

If it is working or you can fix it yourself, that will be a great find
IF ou have an opportunity to actually use the drive, and especially
if you need it.

> [Snip]
> : This is one part of a larger system. I have powered the
> : PDP11/73 up and it seems to boot up OK. When booted, this
> : is what come up on the screen: Testing in progress - Please
> : wait 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Starting ROM boot 173356 _at_ I think
> : the '_at_' is a command prompt, but I don't know what to do
> : from there. The CSS-800 unit has lights that come on in the
> : front, and so does the tape drive, but I have no way to test
> : them. I can't be sure if this equipment is working properly, so
> : it is sold AS-IS.

This part is a bit confusing. Normally, after the "...7 8 9", the system
says if I remember it correctly: "Starting system", but that can be
modified using the boot options on the 11/73 CPU board - which
must be a quad M8190 based on the display. If the CPU board
works, it is worth $ US 5 just by itself.

> Should I rescue this machine? What OS do I need to acquire for it?

I think that Allison covered the ground. If you need help with RT-11,
there are a lot of us here.

Sincerely yours,

Jerome Fine
Received on Thu Jun 22 2000 - 18:19:06 BST